BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University has a new incentive for transfer students who have performed well academically - extra cash. The money comes in the form of one of six transfer scholarships available to students making the move to Ferris from another academic institution.
The scholarships offer anywhere from $1,500 to $2,700 per academic year or in-state tuition for non-resident or international students and are two-year scholarships with an option for a third-year renewal. The 2006-07 academic year will mark the first year the scholarships are available.
"This is our way of saying 'Hey, Ferris wants you,'" said Ferris Dean of Enrollment Services Ronnie Higgs.
Director of Enrollment Services Kathy Lake added, "There is a great pool of transfer students out there. These scholarships are not only a good opportunity for students but they provide a way for Ferris to strengthen its partnerships with community colleges."
To be eligible for one of the six scholarships, students must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, degree-granting program on Ferris' Big Rapids campus, Lake said. Students who meet the requirements of more than one scholarship will be awarded the scholarship that provides the most funding. Priority will be given to students meeting the requirements who are admitted by May 15.
Other criteria for the scholarships is as follows: Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship ($2,700), 3.7 GPA with 24 accepted transfer credit hours, automatic renewal by obtaining a 3.5 GPA at Ferris; Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship ($1,700), 3.5 GPA with 24 accepted transfer credit hours, automatic renewal with documentation by obtaining a 3.25 GPA at Ferris; Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship ($1,500), 3.3 GPA with 24 accepted transfer credit hours, automatic renewal by obtaining a 3.25 GPA at Ferris; Transfer Residential Life Scholarship ($2,000), 3.0 GPA with an associate degree, must live in a residence hall to receive automatic renewal by obtaining a 3.0 GPA at Ferris; Non-Resident Transfer Scholarship and International Transfer Scholarship (in-state tuition), 3.3 GPA with 24 accepted transfer credit hours, automatic renewal by obtaining a 3.25 GPA at Ferris.
"We want to make student transfers a seamless process and we are kick starting the process by helping students with their educational costs," Higgs said. "This is one of the first steps of many to improve the transfer process at Ferris State University."
In reviewing enrollment records for transfer students from the 2005-06 academic year, 43 students would have been eligible for the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship and more than 100 would have been eligible for the Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship, according to Lake. University officials hope to see the number of eligible transfer students double for the 2006-07 school year, she said.
Further information about one of Ferris' six transfer scholarships is available at www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/admision/financialaid/TranSchol.htm.